Symmetry is a powerful framework to perceive and predict the physical world. The structure of materials is described by a combination of rotations, rotation-inversions and translational symmetries. By recognizing the reversal of static structural rotations between clockwise and counterclockwise directions as a distinct symmetry operation, here we show that there are many more structural symmetries than are currently recognized in right- or left-handed helices, spirals, and in antidistorted structures composed equally of rotations of both handedness. For example, we show that many antidistorted perovskites possess twice the number of symmetry elements as conventionally identified. These new 'roto' symmetries predict new forms for 'roto' properties that relate to static rotations, such as rotoelectricity, piezorotation, and rotomagnetism. They enable a symmetry-based search for new phenomena, such as multiferroicity involving a coupling of spins, electric polarization and static rotations. This work is relevant to structure-property relationships in all materials and structures with static rotations.
Tables of crystallographic properties of the reduced magnetic superfamilies of space groups, i.e. the 7 one-dimensional, 80 two-dimensional and 1651 three-dimensional group types, commonly referred to as magnetic space groups, are presented. The content and format are similar to that of non-magnetic space groups and subperiodic groups given in International Tables for Crystallography. Additional content for each representative group of each magnetic space-group type includes a diagram of general positions with corresponding general magnetic moments, Seitz notation used as a second notation for symmetry operations, and general and special positions listed with the components of the corresponding magnetic moments allowed by symmetry.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.